je reviens
To say "be right back" in French, you use je reviens.
The phrase je reviens is used to indicate that the speaker will return in a moment. In French, using the present tense je reviens is a common way to express this immediate future intention.
Meaning: indicate speaker will return in a moment (phrase)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase je reviens literally means "I come back".
Which one should you use?
You can modify the phrase to add more specific information about your return. Adding tout de suite to je reviens results in je reviens tout de suite, which emphasizes that you will be back right away. Using dans un instant results in je reviens dans un instant, which specifies that you will return in a very short moment. For a more casual tone, you can use the expression je reviens vite fait to mean "I'll be back real quick".
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Quebec, Canada, you might hear the informal phrase Je reviens tout de suite là.
Did you know?
- While je reviens is standard, French speakers often use the phrase je fais un saut when they are returning quickly. This literally means 'I am taking a jump'.
- In Quebec, the addition of là to the end of Je reviens tout de suite là functions as a discourse marker that emphasizes the current moment, similar to how some English speakers use 'now' or 'man'.
- In many French-speaking cultures, simply saying je reviens while walking away might be seen as too abrupt without a small nod or a smile.
Examples in context
- Je reviens de suite.I'll be right back.This sentence shows how to use je reviens to express returning right away.Tatoeba #911747 by sacredceltic, translation #53489 by CK
- Attends-moi ici, je reviens dans un instant.Wait for me here. I'll be right back.This sentence uses je reviens to tell someone you will be back in a moment.Tatoeba #751354 by Cocorico, translation #10017782 by ddnktr
- Laisse le moteur tourner. Je reviens tout de suite.Keep the engine running. I'll be right back.This sentence uses je reviens to indicate an immediate return.Tatoeba #12943819 by lbdx, translation #3008574 by CK
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Nathan is leaving the room for a moment while Chloé stays at the table.
- NathanJe reviens dans deux minutes.I'll be right back in two minutes.
- ChloéD'accord, ne tarde pas.Okay, don't be long.
- NathanJe reviens très vite.I'll be right back very soon.
- ChloéPas de problème, Nathan.No problem, Nathan.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “be right back” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
